Smart 1 News

Another week, another new car company joins the Australian market.

Smart has locked in pricing and release timing for the #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric small SUVs for late 2024.Starting at $54,900, before on-road costs, and topping out at $67,900 for the flagship 315kW Brabus. The Smart models will be available to buy from select LSH Auto dealerships in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.The new Smart brand is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive giant Geely which also owns Volvo and Polestar.It is not imported by Mercedes-Benz, however. Rather LSH auto, an owner of many 'Benz dealer franchises.While the two Smarts aren't identical in dimensions, the wagon-styled #1 has only a 35mm shorter wheelbase than the coupe-like #3.Both are available in three trim levels – Pro+, Premium and Brabus – with a 66kWh battery. The #1's driving range varies between 400-440km (WLTP) and the #3 peaks at 455km in Premium trim.The Pro+ trim is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, wireless smartphone mirroring, a power tailgate and panoramic sunroof.A single rear-mounted 200kW/343Nm electric motor shared with the Premium sees the #1 hit 100km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the slipperier #3 completes the dash in 5.8 seconds.Moving up to the Premium ($58,900 or $61,900 for #3) adds a 640-watt Beats sound system, synthetic leather upholstery and a heat pump, gaining an extra 20km of WLTP driving range.Brabus variants get a second motor for 315kW and 543Nm with the #3 hitting 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.The Brabus does not have major chassis upgrades or adaptive dampers but adds red brake calipers, synthetic suede upholstery with red accents, different body styling and Brabus drive mode. For the #3, the Brabus gets 20-inch alloy wheels.The #1 and #3 are based on the same 'SEA2' underpinnings as the Volvo EX30 but share rather different dimensions, such as the Smart's 100mm longer wheelbase.“We are certain that the extensive and highly appealing smart range will build a unique position in the Australian market for those wishing to add electric mobility to their lifestyle," said LSH Auto Australia MD John Good.When the premium-pitched electric Smarts arrive, they will do battle with the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona electric and Renault Megane E-Tech.2024 Smart range pricingAll prices are before on-road costs

Smart’s relaunch in Australia as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely is heating up with initial specifications revealed for its #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric car range.The #1 small EV offers between 400-440km WLTP driving range from its 66kWh battery pack while the larger #3 is certified at up to 455km.Final pricing is yet to be determined but this semi-premium electric carmaker is targeting the BYD Atto 3, Renault Megane E-Tech and Volvo EX30 when it arrives in the third quarter (July-September) of this year. The Smart #1 uses the same Geely 'SEA2' platform as the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, though its wheelbase (2750mm) is 100mm longer than the Volvo. It also features different battery capacity and motor outputs, making it more than an EX30 clone. Visually, the #1 shares little with Smart cars of the past but attempts to stand out with its ‘CyberSparks’ LED headlight design. The base Pro+ also features a ‘Smart Pilot Assist’ driver aid system and a panoramic sunroof. The Pro+ and Premium RWD share a rear-mounted 200kW motor and 64kWh (66kWh gross) NCM lithium-ion battery. The battery can recuperate at up to 150kW (DC) taking around 30 minutes from 10-80 per cent. Despite both having aero-design 19-inch alloy wheels, the #1 Premium’s standard heat pump ups WLTP range to 440km from 420km. The Premium also promises a Beats sound system and synthetic ‘Duo-leather’ upholstery. Both models have a BYD meets Mercedes-Benz design language inside, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen running Geely’s 'ECARX' operating system instead of the Zeekr and Volvo’s Android Automotive set-up. The line-up is headlined by a twin motor Brabus variant able to sprint from rest to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – 2.8 seconds faster than the Pro and Premium. Think of this as an electric version of the Mercedes-AMG GLA45.Smart is expected to target a circa-$60,000 start price for the #1, pitting it directly against the Volvo EX30 (from $59,900, before on-road costs). It is a little longer than the Volvo with boxier proportions and a 313L boot. The #3 is bigger again, though the coupe-styled SUV is still smaller than a Tesla Model Y – these models are looking to hit the BYD Atto 3. The base grade Pro+ has a similar list of features to the #1, while the Premium adds unique alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights and a 10-inch head-up display. At the top of the tree, again, is the Brabus. This time the 315kW punch gets the #3 to 100km/h even faster, at 3.7 seconds (claimed) and it matches cabin equipment with heated and ventilated synthetic suede upholstered front seats. Larger 20-inch alloys make an appearance, too. Both models have been complied locally with a smaller 49kWh LFP battery pack, as well, though these models are not on the website. If they do arrive, a sub-$50K start price could be possible.In Australia, Smart vehicles will be imported by LSH Auto known for owning Mercedes-Benz dealerships locally. The vehicles will appear in 'Benz CBD dealerships in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, initially. 

Another electric car brand is headed to Australia this year.Smart is back after exiting our shores about a decade ago. Gone are the micro cars of the first instalment and in their place are a range of city-focused electric cars produced by a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz and Geely in China.The Smart #1 and Smart #3 are confirmed to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of this year.The #1 and #3 are built on the same platform but the #1 is a conventionally shaped compact SUV and the #3 is a coupe-style SUV of the same size.Both use a 66kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a driving range of up to 440km on a single charge.They use a single electric motor that sends 200kW and 343Nm to the rear wheels.An all-wheel-drive performance version wearing the Brabus badge is available overseas.Smart hasn’t revealed prices yet but it’s expected to have an entry price that is highly competitive with current non-premium EV offerings of similar size.This could point to a circa-$50,000 starting point to match the BYD Atto 3.The Smart #1 is a conventionally shaped compact SUV.Smart has set up its own operations in Australia and will sell the vehicles through LSH Auto Australia, a network of dealers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that currently distribute Mercedes-Benz products.Global Chief Marketing Officer of Smart Mandy Zhang said the brand is planning a global expansion.“The Australian market holds significant potential for growth, and with LSH Auto Australia’s extensive local resources and expertise, we are excited to join hands,” said Zhang.The Federal Government’s new National Vehicle Efficiency Standard is a big reason for Smart re-entering our market.Under the new legislation car brands will be fined for every vehicle they sell that emit CO2 over a certain level, which will make petrol and diesel cars more expensive and EVs more competitive.Smart is the latest of many EV brands out of China to announce its headed our way.This includes GAC, Leapmotor, Skywell, Xpeng and Zeekr.Geely has a wide portfolio of electric cars. It owns Volvo and Polestar, which are both available in Australia, and its Zeekr brand will be here by the end of the year.